Harry Allen Thiel Jr., 85, of Highland, Ill., born Aug. 11, 1929, in Highland, Ill., died Friday, December 19, 2014, at Faith Country Side, Highland, Ill.

Harry was granted his last two wishes on December 19, 2014, when he took his last breath in the town he was born in and loved, and his family was an original founder of Highland, Ill. This set him free to be with his beloved Josephine once again.

He received his BA in journalism at McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill. He began his journalism career in 1956 with the Alton Telegraph, Alton, Ill., moving then to the Daily Jour-nal in Kankakee, Ill., and then to The Spring Valley Newspaper in Spring Valley, Ill, where he met his beloved Jo.

Harry and Josephine Saltsman were married on Oct. 2, 1964, in Riverton, Ill., in Jo's parents backyard, they just celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary this year. From there he moved on to The Daily Chronicle in Sycamore, Ill., The LaSalle News Tribune in LaSalle-Peru, Ill., The Des Moines Register in Des Moines, Iowa, and The St. Louis Globe Democrat, St. Louis, Mo. In 1968, Harry and Jo moved to Edwardsville, Ill., where he began parttime teaching at SIUE. In 1969-1972, Harry was the General Manager/Advisor of the Alestle, SIUE Newspaper at Edwardsville. In 1972, Harry and Jo moved north to Rockford, Ill., where he worked as the Regional News Editor and Sunday News Editor at The Rockford Morning Star. In 1976, they moved south to Normal, Ill., where he began his 20 year career at The Daily Vidette as it's general manager. His last career was Harry's proudest. In Sept. 2009, he was introduced into the Vidette Hall of Fame and the Mayor of Normal declared that day "Harry Thiel Day". Harry always talked of his students as his own and was humbled by their accolades of him. Harry's passions were his wife, reading, fishing, camping, collecting Matchbox/Hot Wheels care, of which he had thou-sands.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine D., nee Roberts, Thiel, who preceded him on Nov. 11, 2014; a daughter, Tammy Jo Thiel; and his parents, Harry Allen Sr. and Bessie, nee Schoeck, Thiel.

Surviving are four sons, Tim Thiel of Channelview, Texas, Toby Thiel of Rockford, Ill., Terry Thiel of Carlsbad, Calif., and Troy Thiel of Madison, Wis.; four grandchildren, Joy, Johnella, Regina, and Anna; a great-grandson, Brandon; a sister, Marian Newgent of Sun City, Ariz.;
numerous nieces, nephews; and a host of loving friends and students.

Memorials may be made to Harry Thiel Jr. Scholarship Fund. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.Richesonfh.com.

Harry's Memorial service is being planned for Spring 2015, at Illinois State University, Normal, Ill. A memorial scholarship in Harry's name is being planned for journalism students at Illinois State University.

AEBISCHER-RICHESON
FUNERAL HOME,

St. Jacob, Ill.